Punctureproof steel inner tube



April 3 J. E. HATULA 2,633,887

PUNCTUREPROOF' STEEL INNER TUBE Fild Aug. 10, 1950 3| 3 INVENTOR. g RJamv E.HATULA. /I l l b y Patented Apr. 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE PUNGTUR-EPROOF STEEL INNER TUBE John E. Hatula, Painesdale, Mich.

Application August 10, 1950, Serial No. 178,725

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a punctureproof steel inner tube for a vehicletire, and more particularly to a novel inner tube construction whichincludes a series of flexible spring steel bands which are arranged ina. circle in circumferentially spaced relation and adjustably joined toeach other.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an inner tubeconstruction for a tire which is sturdy in construction, durable, andfully effective for the purpose intended.

It is the further object of this invention to provide a series ofsubstantially circular U- shaped steel bands which are arrangedcircularly, and which are adjustable with respect to each other toconform to the tire size, and which are furthermore adjustabletransversely of their circular arrangement.

These and other objects will be seen from the following specificationand claims in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the present inner tube with thetire to which it is adapted shown in phantom.

Fig. 2 is avsection on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, being a fragmentaryillustration; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the above drawing illustrates merely apreferred embodiment of the invention, and that other embodiments arecontemplated within the scope of the claims hereafter set out.

Referring to the drawing, the punctureproof inner tube includes aplurality of steel sections, or 90 degree sectors H, I2, [3 and I4,which are adjustably joined together in the manner hereafter described.1

. Each of said sections includes a series of cir cumferentially spacedarcuate bands I5, which are of generally U-shape as shown in Fig. 2, butwhose free ends include the substantially parallel outwardly projectingportions 15. Each of the steel bands is generally circular inconstruction with the width of the inner portion being less than thewidth of the outer portion as shown in Fig. 1, whereby each of the steelbands i5 is substantially and equally spaced from the adjacent bandthroughout the circumference of the tube.

Each of the bands [5 in any particular section are joinedto each otherby the arcuate braces l6 which bear upon the inner surfaces of each ofsaid bands adjacent their open portions, and

which are effectively secured thereto by a series of rivets l1. a

A second arcuate brace 22 is contained within each of said sections,being arranged upon the opposite sides of said bands and secured to therespective bands by the rivets 23. It is contem" plated, however, thatthe braces 16 and 22 could be otherwise secured to the respective bandsand transversely thereof, such as by welding.

As shown in Fig. 3 the respective opposite ends of the bands iii areoutturned at it, and a bolt N with head 20 is adjustably threadedthrough corresponding openings in the outturned portions l8. By thisconstruction it is possible to adjust one section with respect to anadjacent section at one end, such as sections H and 12 shown in Fig. 3and Fig. 1. Lock nuts 2! are carried upon bolts 19 for securing each ofsaid bolts in the desired adjusted position.

Similarly the second braces 22 have outturned portions 24 which areinter-connected by the bolts 25 carrying the stationary nut 26 wherebysaid bolts may be adjustably turned. And here also suitable lock nuts 21are employed for securing the bolt and the respective sections in theiradjusted positions.

Each of the sections ll, 12, I3 and I4 have the reinforcing steel bracesIii-and 22 secured thereto, so that a series of circumferentially spacedsteel bands l5 may be held together as shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore,each of the braces 15 and 22 of each section have the outturned portionsI8 and 24 whereby, and by means of the adjust able bolts [9 and 25 onesection may be adjustably joined to the adjacent section until acomplete inner tube-is completed.

Furthermore, by this arrangement each of the sections will besubstantially and equally spaced from adjacent sections. Thus thesections may be assembled within the proposed tire and thereaftersuitably adjusted with respect to each other to obtain'the proper fitand the desired pressure.

Arcuate reinforcing rin s 28 and 30 are also secured to thexrespectiveoutturned portions l5 by the rivets 29 and 3| respectively, which ringsfurther bind the bands together at their free ends, and also provide forthe adjustable securing of the inner portions of the bands at their freeends with respect to each other in a direction transversely of thecircular arrangement of said bands.

Upstanding inwardly projecting lugs 32 and 33 are arranged in opposedrelation and are joined at their lower portions to the free ends,respectively of the bands I5, and may be riveted thereto,

or otherwise suitably secured as shown in Fig. 2.

Preferably there are two pairs of such lugs 3233 arranged within each ofthe sections ll, #2, l3 and I 4, being equally spaced from each other.Transversely arranged threaded bolts 34 extend through correspondingthreaded openings in the upper ends of lugs 32 and 33, each boltcarrying a stationary central nut member 35 whereby said bolts may beadjusted to thereby regulate the spacing of the inner ends of the bandswith respect toeach other in each individual section.

Here also there are provided lock nuts 36 for securing the bolts 34 inthe desired position of adjustment. These bolts provide for expandingand contracting of the tube to obtain the desired pressure for easyriding and to prevent friction.

There are preferably two adjusting bolts 34 for each section, or a totalof 8 such adjusting bolts which are preferably arranged in equal spacedrelation around the tube.

There are also twoadjusting bolts l9 and 25 at each of the ends of thesections for adjusting the sections with respect to each other, making atotal of eight more bolts.

It is obvious that the tire 3'! with the above described inner tubecannot go fiat, and that no compressed air is required. There can be notroublesome punctures, annoying slow leaks and dangerous blowouts. Therubber inner tube is completely eliminated as Well as the repairs whichare required from time to time.

It is also apparent that the tire 31 and its casing can be wornpractically through with safety, thus many extra miles of Wear may beobtained from the rubber tire.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claimswhich follow for determining the scope thereof.

I claim:

1.. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality of,circumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, eachsection consisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrallydirected U-shaped metallic bands, a

plurality of spaced arcuate braces inter-connecting and joined to eachof said bands, and ad justable threaded means transverselyinter-connecting the central open portions'of each section forregulating the pressure thereof.

2. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, eachsection consisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrallydirected U-shaped metallic bands, a plurality of spaced arcuate bracesinter-connecting and joined to each of said bands, and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced threaded means arranged transversely of andadjustably inter-connecting the free ends of said bands for regulatingthe pressure in each section.

3. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, eachsection consisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced sisting ofa plurality of circumferentially spaced centrally directed U-shapedmetallic bands, a

- plurality of spaced arcuate braces inter-connecting and joined to eachof said bands intermediate their ends, additional spaced arcuatelyshaped braces arranged at the free ends of said bands and immovablysecured thereto for further inter-connecting the same, and a pluralityof circumferentially spaced threaded means arranged transversely of andadjustably inter-connecting said additional braces in each section.

5. A punctureproof tire inner tube comprising a plurality ofoircumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections, eachsection con sisting of a plurality of circumferentially spaced centrallydirected U-shaped metallic hands, a plurality of spaced arcuate bracesinter-connecting and joined to each of said bands, threaded meansadjustably inter-connecting the respective adjacent ends of saidsections, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded meansarranged transversely of and adjustably inter-connecting the free endsof said bands in each section for regulating the pressure therein.

6. In combination with a vehicle tire, a punctureproof inner tubepositioned upon its interior surface comprising a pluralityofcircumferentially spaced inter-connected tube shaped sections nestedwithin said tire, each section consisting of a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced centrally directed U shaped metallic hands, aplurality of spaced arcuate braces joined to and inter-connecting eachof said halide-threaded means adjustably inter-connecting the respectiveadjacent ends of said sections and a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced threaded means arranged transversely of and adjustablyinter-connecting the free ends of said bands in each sec tion forregulating the pressure therein.

JOHN E. HA'I'ULA.

REFERENCES GITED- The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

